On October 12, 2017, the Finishing Trades Institute of British Columbia had the privilege of hosting Melanie Mark, British Columbia’s new Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. Minister Mark also happens to be the first woman elected to the BC Provincial Government from a First Nations background. This is significant because the FTI of BC has recently entered into a partnership with the Squamish Nation Trades Training Facility to deliver a foundation program in the wall and ceiling trades, and First Nation students enrolled in this program were in class on the day of the tour.
During their tour of the facility, Minister Mark and her team were able to meet with the students and get an overview of their experience in the FTI Wall and Ceiling Trades program. Minister Mark was pleased to hear the students’ positive remarks regarding their experience in the program.
Minister Mark left with a better understanding of the FTI and the IUPAT’s training programs, and the staff of FTI of BC is confident that Minister Mark will use the FTI and all of the Building Trades as a valuable resource in her endeavour to assist us in developing superior trades people.